Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	bind_v	law_n	obligation_n	1,168	5	9.4651	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A58940	A sacramental-question concerning assurance how far necessary to a worthy communicant, practically answered, in a sermon, preparatory to the Lord's-Supper, Saturday, March 2, 1699/1700.	J. S.	1700 (1700)	Wing S223A; ESTC R7898	20,918	72

Ninthly As to the Apostle's Expression which is frequently objected in this case Rom. xiv 24. He that doubteth is damned if he eat because he eateth not in Faith and what is not of Faith is Sin You ought to consider that the Word we render Doubting is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 making a difference between Clean and Vnclean Meats 'T is not meant of Eating at the Lord's Table but of Eating those Meats which were forbidden by the Law of Moses to the Jews or such as had been offer'd to Idols and afterward sold in the Market Meats to be Eaten at an ordinary Table concerning which one who believ'd the Obligation of the Law of Moses thought to be Vnclean He was perswaded of the Unlawfulness of Eating but he knows he may Lawfully forbare This is quite another matter than the case of an ordinary doubting Conscience where a Man only doubts on one side of an Action 'T is there but reasonable to chuse that side where he hath no doubt rather than the other where he suspects he may transgress some Law of God tho' he be not certain While the Doubt lasts till a Man be better inform'd supposing he be mistaken he should forbear acting against his present Opinion and Judgment Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin i. e. Whatever a Man doth without being perswaded of the Lawfulness of it tho' it be not a Sin in it self it is so to him who doth it against his Conscience But as to matter of plain Duty such as Doing this in Remembrance of Christ and shewing forth His Death by coming to His Table it is otherwise The Doubt will not excuse him in the neglect of his Duty His Doubt is double whether he be not bound by the Command of Christ to Communicate but on the other side he doubts whether by some other Law of God he ought not as yet to forbear as not thinking himself duly qualified In such a case What should a Man do but endeavour to fit prepare and qualifie himself as soon and as well as he can that he may not continue to offend God by the neglect of Obedience to an Order of Christ And can such a ●ne say he is as certain he is not qualified to come as he is certain in the general that it is his Duty to come As to the Expression He is Damned if he Eat The meaning is He is Self-condemn'd his Conscience condemns him for he knows 't is lawful to forbear and he believes it to be unlawful to Eat If he do Eat he acts against his own Judgment and so is Self-condemn'd As to matter of Duty an Erring Conscience be sure will not cancel the Obligation of the Law of God If we doubt concerning that which God hath made our Duty our Doubt will not excuse us from Sin for God hath bound us to know our Duty and do it Whatever our Opinion and Perswasion be the Obligation to obey the Command of God remains Our doubting whether it be our Duty doth not make it cease to be so However some Melancholy Persons under great Conflicts and Temptations may suspend and stay away for a while lest they should run into Despair on the Apprehension of having Eaten and Drank their own Damnation They ought not to cherish such Doubts and Fears but endeavour to overcome them and ask Advice and Counsel and use all other fit means in order to it that being better acquainted with themselves they may come with Peace and Comfort If your Hearts consent to be the Lord's according to the tenor of the Covenant of Grace you ought to come and Declare that Consent with your Fellow Christians Tenthly Consider that there is a Scrupulous Conscience which tho' resolv'd and satisfy'd in the main concerning Duty when it comes to act is perplex'd and hindred by unaccountable Fears Tho' there be no just rational Scripture Grounds of Fear or Doubt yet a Person of weak Parts little Knowledge and of a timerous Disposition is easily disquieted with general Jealousies and Fears as to himself and his state towards God He fears tho' he can't tell particularly from the Holy Scriptures why that he is not qualify'd that he shall receive unworthily if he come and eat and drink Judgment to himself Ask why he thinks so He has only some conjectural Suspicions some uncertain Surmises of his own Condition arising from some mistaken Notions of the Qualications and Preparation necessary to a Worthy Communicant These general unscriptual Doubts Jealousies and Fears if countenanc'd and indulg'd will increase and like Circles in the Water continue and beget one another But a good Man would not deal with his Neighbour after this manner as with himself He would not he ought not to judge hardly of a Neighbour by general Rumors of Accusation or every idle Objection and imaginary Supposition that may be made to his Prejudice if when particularly Enquired into solid and positive Proof is wanting You must not judge hardly of your selves any more than favourably but according to the Word of God the Rule of Judgment Lastly If you have not Assurance yet if your Hearts accuse you not of Hypocrisie and double Dealing if you can say As far as I know my own Heart and Life I think I do sincerely consent to the Covenant of Grace and am really chang'd as to my Principles and Ends I am unfeignedly willing without reserve to be the Lord's You may come to renew and seal your Covenant Can you say I believe the Gospel to be true I am willing to have Christ for my Saviour and Lord and absolutely to resign my self to Him to be rul'd by His Laws and sav'd by His Righteousness My Imperfections I bewail my Corruptions I strive against and endeavour to Mortifie and as far as I know my self am willing to part with every known Sin I am not certain I am a true Believer but I would fain be deliver'd by Christ from the Dominion of Sin as well as the Condemnation of it Now where the Case is thus what should be a bar to your coming to the Lord's Table Such a sense of Sin and striving against it and desire to be rid of it is your very Fitness And in this as well as other cases we may act according to the best of our Judgment notwithstanding some considerable Doubts Christians You may come with Humility and Reverence paying Homage to a Crucify'd Saviour having found your Sins and being humbled and penitent judging and condemning your selves for 'em tho' you have not so clearly discover'd your Graces as to be able to Rejoyce you may come with broken and contrite Hearts as Penitent Sinners if you can't come with Assurance that you are Pardon'd Sinners you may come sensible of your need of Christ if you can't come with the clear knowledge of your Interest in Him Come with Humility and Contrition of Returning Penitents tho' you can't come with the Joy of Faith as Assured Believers Come with Hunger